Summary
As the firstGodzillamovie I’ve ever seen, I watchedGodzilla Minus Oneafter it dropped on Netflix this month – and I think its brilliance may have ruined the rest of the franchise for me. In a surprise release on Netflix,Godzilla Minus Onehit VOD and streaming on the same day starting August 14, 2025, exactly six months after its theatrical release in the United States.Godzilla Minus Onewas a huge box office hitin 2023, earning an impressive $115.8 million worldwide against a relatively small budget of only $10 million. To top off its commercial victories,Godzilla Minus Oneholds an astounding “Certified Fresh” 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
On the night of June 2, I ended my weekend by finally getting around to watchingGodzilla Minus One. In short, I was blown away by the movie. From itsJaws-like restraint with the titular monster to its harrowing chosen family story, entrancing cast performances, powerful themes, and masterfully crafted effects toGodzilla Minus One’s moving ending, it stands apart as one of the best films of 2023. Despite the fact that there have been38Godzillamoviesacross 70 years, this also just sohappens to be the first film in the franchise that I’ve seen. ThoughGodzilla Minus Oneis incredible, finishing this movie makes me nervous about approaching the rest of the franchise.
Why It Took Me So Long To Finally Watch A Godzilla Movie
Monster-based action movies haven’t been a huge draw for me
I’mgenerally not a huge fan of action movies; I enjoy them, but it’s typically not my go-to genre unless the film is supported by a well-renowned cast, an intriguing new story, or an acclaimed director. Part of this is because of the CGI-fest that has recently pervaded the action genre’s biggest entries, with many recent trends in this sector of Hollywood appealing less and less to me. I can see the merits and excitement of going to seeevery new entry of theFast and FuriousfranchiseorMission: Impossible, but those movies just don’t really appeal to my taste – which isn’t meant to discount the opinion of those who love them. It’s simply not for me.
Part of this is because of the CGI-fest that has recently pervaded the action genre’s biggest entries, with many recent trends in this sector of Hollywood appealing less and less to me.
But,when a great new genre mashup or cinematic marvel is released, I’m all in for giving it a try. For instance, I thought the 1986Top Gunwas a fun but certainly not groundbreaking action movie when I first watched it. But, once I heard the rave reviews, incredible cinematic techniques, and entertainment value ofTop Gun: Maverick, I couldn’t help but go see it and feel the same ecstatic way as the majority of other critics and audience members.
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Action movies like theJohn Wickseries,George Miller’sMad Maxfilms, war movies, and even fun star-studded action-comedies likeThe Fall Guyare certain to make me buy a ticket for a theatrical viewing. But, sadly, I’ve rarely felt this way about monster franchises apart from those like Universal’s Classic Monsters,Alien,A Quiet Place, and other horror-based series.Unless there’s some bigger, secondary draw to this subgenre of action movies, it isn’t the type of tale I have historically been interested in going to see.
WhileI’ve always had the original 1954Godzillamovie on my watchlist due to its historical significance, cinematic influence, revolutionary special effects, and poignant themes, it got lost in the shuffle of other classic horror monster movies I was returning to, likeKing Kong(1933),Creature from the Black Lagoon(1954), and variousDraculafilms.Legendary’s recentGodzillaandKongMonsterverse moviesstill didn’t pique my interest much, but that all changed with the buzz around 2023’sGodzilla Minus One. From rave reviews from critics to friends imploring me to go see it and an Oscar win for Best Visual Effects, I couldn’t avoid pressing “play” whenGodzilla Minus Onesurprisingly arrived on Netflix this June – and, boy, am I glad I did.
I couldn’t avoid pressing “play” whenGodzilla Minus Onesurprisingly arrived on Netflix this June – and, boy, am I glad I did.
Godzilla Minus One Is One Of The Best Monster Movies I’ve Ever Seen (I Understand Why Steven Spielberg Watched It 3 Times)
Godzilla Minus One deserves its 98% Rotten Tomatoes score
Monster movies aren’t hard to come by today, but really, really great ones are. When I finished watchingGodzilla Minus One, one of my first thoughts was that it was thebest monster movie I had seen sinceJurassic Park. Part of this is the film’s priority on character development, story, and suspense rather than making sure to get a destructive Godzilla on screen as much as possible. One of the best sequences inGodzilla Minus Onepays homage toJawsas the characters’ boat is stalked by the kaiju, with the tension and restraint in fully unleashing the monster being a huge success in the film – just as it was with Steven Spielberg’sJawsandJurassic Park.
One of the best sequences inGodzilla Minus Onepays homage toJawsas the characters’ boat is stalked by the kaiju, with the tension and restraint in fully unleashing the monster being a huge success in the film.
Godzilla Minus Oneholding back the titular monster while building up more suspense through the characters’ fears and preparations is a hallmark of many great monster horror movies. In addition to the aforementioned Spielberg films, movies likeA Quiet Place,Beetlejuice,Alien, and Bong Joon-ho’sHostsparingly put their main villains or creatures on-screen, which makes their big showdowns or appearances toward the end of each film all the more effective. Steven Spielberg revealed in February 2024 thathe had already watchedGodzilla Minus Onethree times, and I finally understand why after seeing it.
Netflix’s Trending Action Movie With 98% On RT Is The Closest We’ve Come To A Great Jurassic Park Movie In 31 Years
Godzilla: Minus One stands out for its reimagining of the titular monster with new abilities, a vengeful attitude, and a novel origin story.
The Original 1954 Godzilla Movie Is High On My Watchlist After Godzilla Minus One
I’ll now have an even greater appreciation for the original Godzilla
I previously mentioned that the originalGodzillamovie has been on my watchlist for quite some time, butGodzilla Minus Onejust boosted it to a top priority. While I (clearly) didn’t catch them myself, I had read thatGodzilla Minus Onefeatures numerous Easter eggsand callbacks to the 1954 movie, so seeing the original is certain to elevate my appreciation of the 2023 film. Additionally, whileGodzilla Minus Onehas an incredible strength in its themes and analysis of post-war Japan, I’m curious to see how these two movies differ in their approach to these subjects given their 69-year gap.
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Takashi Yamakazi
Not having seen thevery firstGodzillamoviebefore watchingGodzilla Minus Onemay invite some flack, but I believe that now is a much better time to see it given the more open, enthused mindset I’ll have going into it. Just as it did for me, I hope thatGodzilla Minus One’s popularity on Netflix and dual critical and audience acclaim inspires more people to watch 1954’sGodzillafor the first time or revisit it. Director and co-writerIshiro Honda deserves to have his massively influential work be seen by new generations, and I regret that it’s taken me so long to finally watch his most famous film.
Just as it did for me, I hope thatGodzilla Minus One’s popularity on Netflix and dual critical and audience acclaim inspires more people to watch 1954’sGodzillafor the first time or revisit it.
I’m Worried The Other Godzilla Movies Won’t Live Up To Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One sets high standards for other Godzilla movies
While I’m eager to watchGodzilla(1954), I’m nervous about approaching the other 36 entries in the franchise.Godzilla’s films have often varied in quality, tone, and execution, and I worry that the rest of the franchise won’t be able to live up to the incredible cinematic accomplishments ofGodzilla Minus One. One of the main reasons why it took me so long to get around to watching aGodzillamovie was Monsterverse’s recent films appeared to be more focused on the special effects, CGI, action, and crossover monster features.
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Godzilla Minus One has garnered rave reviews from critics and fans, and its reviews provide insight into the reasons why it’s been so well-received.
Although I’m certain there are plenty of other great entries in theGodzillafranchise’s last 70 years of installments, it’sdifficult to know where to startin a way that will encourage me to continue on with the films. WhileGodzilla(2014) has positive reviews, its follow-ups –Godzilla: King of the Monsters,Godzilla vs. Kong, andGodzilla x Kong: The New Empire– vary in “Rotten” or “Fresh” scores onRotten Tomatoes. Additionally, though Toho’sShin Godzillareceived substantial acclaim, it’s difficult to approach the film while knowing the general consensus thatGodzilla Minus Oneis superior. I’m open to giving many moreGodzillamovies a chance, but it seems likeGodzilla Minus Onehas already taken the cake.
Godzilla Minus One
Cast
In Godzilla Minus One, set in postwar Japan, an unyielding Godzilla emerges in a landscape already ravaged, leaving survivors to unite against the monstrous threat. With no aid from military forces or government, the community must confront their fears to fend off the escalating peril.
